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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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21332.00 – Petroleum engineers

Petroleum engineers conduct studies for the exploration, development and extraction of oil and gas deposits; and plan, design, develop and supervise projects for the drilling, completion, testing and re-working of oil and gas wells.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Oil and gas drilling engineer
  • Oil and gas production engineer
  • Petroleum engineer
  • Petroleum reservoir engineer
  • Petroleum well completion engineer
  • Subsea engineer

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to analyze reservoir rock and fluid data in order to design optimum recovery methods and to predict reservoir performance
  • Evaluation and Systems Analysis to monitor reservoir performance and conduct well testing and well surveys
  • Categorization Flexibility and Information Ordering to synthesize information to monitor and forecast oil and gas reservoir performance and recommend oil recovery techniques
  • Fluency of Ideas to develop various customized drilling programs for corrosion control and oil and gas treatment based on site availability, client requirements and survey data
  • Attention to Detail to precisely direct and monitor oil- and gas-drilling operations, to develop drilling programs and select sites and to specify programs for corrosion control and oil and gas treatment
  • Knowledge in Geological Resources to understand methods for analyzing and processing oil and gas while supporting accurate evaluation of reserves and sustainable resource development

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Conduct feasibility assessment studies for developing new oil and gas fields
  • Direct and monitor oil and gas drilling operations
  • Develop drilling programs, select sites and specify drilling fluids, bit selection, drill stem testing procedures and equipment
  • Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing and well surveys
  • Design and select artificial lift machinery, and well and surface production equipment and systems, and specify programs for corrosion control and oil or gas treatment
  • Develop specifications for and monitor and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery
  • Analyze reservoir rock and fluid data to design optimum recovery methods and to predict reservoir performance and reserves
  • Monitor and forecast oil and gas reservoir performance and recommend oil recovery techniques which extend the economic life of wells
  • Design, develop and coordinate the installation, maintenance and operation of subsea well-head and production equipment.

Additional information

  • There is mobility between petroleum engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
  • Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
  • Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
  • Petroleum engineers may specialize in drilling, production, reservoir analysis or subsea operations.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Chemical engineers (21320)
  • Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services (82021)
  • Engineering managers (20010)
  • Geological engineers (21331)
  • Geoscientists and oceanographers (21102)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

213 – Professional occupations in engineering

Minor group

2133 – Natural resources engineers

Unit group

21332 – Petroleum engineers

Occupational profile

21332.00 – Petroleum engineers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.